Managers Thoughts - 26/6/25

We’re back in action today with two runners in the 5.30pm at Newcastle, both tackling the all-weather in search of progress and promise for the season ahead.

Commander Atkinson, trained by Brian Ellison and ridden by Ben Robinson, lines up alongside Macedonian, trained by Michael Dods with David Egan in the saddle. Both horses come into this race in a similar position, and both connections have opted for this surface due to the ground being too firm elsewhere.

While ideally suited to 6 furlongs, we’re hopeful that the stiff 5f at Newcastle will ride more like 6f, which should play to their strengths.

Commander Atkinson (pictured below) is returning after finishing lame last time out. He’s been working well at home, and today’s outing is very much about getting back on track. It’s a competitive field, but we’d be pleased to see him finish in the first half of the field—a positive step forward to build on.

Macedonian, meanwhile, comes into this following an encouraging run at Ripon when trained by the Crisfords. He’s also been showing plenty at home. Although we expect him to be outpaced early over this shorter trip, we hope to see him staying on strongly in the closing stages.

We’re not heading to Newcastle with winner’s expectations today, but rather looking for encouraging runs that give us something to work with going forward. Both horses have ability and should come on for the experience.

Best of luck to all connections today—with 24 of our team on track, it promises to be a fantastic afternoon at Newcastle!